Christopher Wiggins

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Biden Proclaims June as LGBTQ+ Pride Month, Denounces Oppression

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On the last day of May, President Joe Biden issued a proclamation Wednesday from the White House declaring June as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex Pride Month. It comes amid a wave of conservative attacks on the LGBTQ+ community.

“During Pride Month, we honor a movement that has grown stronger, more vibrant, and more inclusive with every passing year,” the proclamation read. “Pride is a celebration of generations of LGBTQI+ people who have fought bravely to live openly and authentically. And it is a reminder that we still have generational work to do to ensure that everyone enjoys the full promise of equity, dignity, protection, and freedom.”

Biden referenced the laws Republican-led legislatures have introduced in states nationwide, calling it an “inflection point.”

“In 2023 alone, State and local legislatures have already introduced over 600 hateful laws targeting the LGBTQI+ community. Books about LGBTQI+ people are being banned from libraries. Transgender youth in over a dozen States have had their medically necessary health care banned. Homophobic and transphobic vitriol spewed online has spilled over into real life, as armed hate groups intimidate people at Pride marches and drag performances and threaten doctors’ offices and children’s hospitals that offer care to the LGBTQI+ community.”

At least 20 states have restricted access to gender-affirming care for minors and, in some states, adults as well. In Florida, the Republican governor and declared 2024 presidential candidate, Ron DeSantis, has initiated an all-out war on LGBTQ+ people with bans on topics in schools, books in libraries, and access to care for young people suffering from gender dysphoria.

Five states alone advanced some form of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation within the last week, accordingto the Human Rights Campaign.

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre explained to The Advocate why the LGBTQ+ community is front of mind for Biden.

“During Pride Month, we celebrate the strength, resilience, and bravery of the LGBTQI+ community and reaffirm our commitment to fighting for equality and freedom for all people,” Jean-Pierre said. “This year alone, more than 600 anti-LGBTQI+ bills have been filed in statehouses across the country and a significant portion of these bills target transgender youth.”

She continued, “As President Biden says, these young people are some of the bravest people he knows, but no one should have to be brave just to be themselves. The Biden-Harris Administration is going to continue to speak out and stand up against these attacks and we are going to remain focused on advancing equality for LGBTQI+ people across the country.”

Biden also acknowledged the lives lost to anti-LGBTQ+ violence, saying, “Our hearts are heavy with grief.”

The proclamation explains that the LGBTQ+ community is one of resilience.

“LGBTQI+ Americans are defiantly and unapologetically proud,” the President noted.

Youth leaders are organizing walkouts at high schools and colleges nationwide to protest discriminatory laws. However, he wrote that defending their fundamental rights in state capitols requires incredible courage from LGBTQI+ young people and their parents.

“They are not alone: My entire Administration stands proudly with the LGBTQI+ community in the enduring struggle for freedom, justice, and equality,” Biden wrote.

e highlighted his executive order charging the entire federal government with protecting queer and trans people from discrimination in healthcare, housing, education, banking, and the criminal justice system.

“Last December, surrounded by dozens of couples who have fought for marriage equality in the courts for decades, I had the great honor of signing into law the landmark Respect for Marriage Act,” Biden mentioned.

“This bipartisan law protects the rights of same-sex and interracial couples – like caring for one’s sick partner and receiving spousal benefits. Deciding who to marry is one of life’s most profound decisions, so we etched a simple truth into law: Love is love.”

According to Biden, “The Department of Justice is combating laws that target transgender children, and the Departments of Education and Health and Human Services have proposed new rules to protect LGBTQI+ Americans from discrimination in health care, at school, and in sports.”

Still, states continue to pass sports bills that exclude transgender athletes from team sports. In April, Congressional Republicans passed a measure through the House of Representatives banning transgender athletes from sports teams that align with the gender they identify. That bill went nowhere because Democrats control the Senate.

“We must support LGBTQI+ activists around the globe who are standing up for basic human rights and LGBTQI+ survivors of gender-based violence,” Biden said.

Toward the end of the proclamation, Biden issued a call to action.

“This month and every month, let us celebrate the pride that powers the movement for LGBTQI+ rights and commit to doing our part to help realize the promise of America for all Americans,” the president said.

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U.S. Facing Growing Extremism in Denying Care to Transgender People: Report

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In a report released earlier this month, Movement Advancement Project (MAP) highlights the growing number, scope, and severity of bills that aim to prevent transgender individuals from receiving gender-affirming care.

MAP’s “LGBTQ Policy Spotlight: Bans on Medical Care for Transgender People” is the most comprehensive analysis of the efforts to limit or ban medical care for transgender youth and adults, according to the organization.

On Friday, Montana became the nation’s first state to restrict gender-affirming medical care. 

MAP examined more than 250 bills introduced over the last several years that threaten the rights of transgender patients to receive medical care. In addition, several anti-LGBTQ+ bills have been passed in the past year, and these measures are part of a more comprehensive climate of record-breaking anti-LGBTQ+ activities.

MAP reports that state legislators have introduced over 650 bills aimed at attacking LGBTQ+ people this year, including more than 125 bills limiting the rights of transgender people to receive health care. 

The report highlights the extreme measures taken by these bills.

In addition to expanding the ban on care for minors to include adults, there is an increasing prevalence of felony criminal charges and child abuse allegations against doctors, parents, and educators, along with the elimination of insurance coverage for gender-affirming care written into these measures.

In the years before 2021, no state prohibited medical care for transgender youth, but today almost 20 states have banned at least some forms of health care, and others are actively seeking such bans. In Missouri, for example, almost one out of five transgender youth and adults do not have access to the best medical care.

“These bills are part of a much broader, coordinated effort to prevent transgender people from being our authentic selves,” writes Logan Casey, a senior policy researcher at MAP. “Across the country, anti-transgender extremists and politicians are putting the lives and well-being of transgender people at risk by attempting to outlaw access to best practice medical care not only for youth but for all transgender people.”

More than half of the states still do not provide explicit protections against discrimination for transgender individuals under their health insurance laws. There are at least nine states that expressly prohibit Medicaid coverage for medically necessary health care for transgender individuals, and two more that prohibit coverage for minors. 

In addition, the fact that more than one in five transgender individuals live in poverty further limits their ability to obtain medical care.

During 2020-2023, the number of bills allowing individuals to sue physicians who provide medical care to transgender individuals more than quadrupled, illustrating how these bans are increasingly privatized, similar to the tactics used against abortions.

The report concludes that opponents of transgender equality seek to undermine the medically necessary health care prescribed by physicians who follow best practices recognized by major medical organizations, such as the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics. 

“It can be hard at first to understand what it’s like to have a transgender child, but everyone should understand that these decisions should be left to parents, healthcare providers, and the patient, in accordance with best practice medical standards,” MAP Executive Director Ineke Mushovic stated.

“These bills allow the state to overrule parents and take best practice medical care off the table, limiting parents’ options for how to best support their child. And now they are even saying transgender adults shouldn’t be trusted to make the decisions about the care they want and need,” Muschovic added.

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Southern Queers: New Study Reveals the Reality of LGBTQ+ People in the South

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A new study published Thursday examines the lives of LGBTQ+ Americans in the South and the results might be surprising to some. The data indicates that the notion that LGBTQ+ people only live in blue states or big cities isn’t entirely accurate.

In a survey of 1,042 LGBTQ+ adults living in 12 Southern states from Alabama to Virginia, the progressive think tank and polling firm Data for Progress examined the significance of LGBTQ+ affirming community spaces, the relationships between LGBTQ+ Southerners and their communities, and the specific threats faced by marginalized, rural LGBTQ+ communities.

This research examined how queer people in rural America construct a sense of safety and community in a place where they traditionally are unwelcomed or feel unsafe. According to the findings, rural America isn’t necessarily a dangerous place, and people can live happy, fulfilling lives there, which could affect the perception of queer people living in rural America.

The study revealed surprising data on the number of queer people in these areas. It also showed their lack of safety and satisfaction with life and the need for more welcoming spaces, says Miles Davis-Matthews, the study’s author.

He tells The Advocate that one of the most surprising things he found was how unhappy many trans and non-binary people were.

“Something that the data showed repeatedly was the lack of feelings of safety, the lack of feelings of satisfaction with life,” he says. “It’s really, really concerning to see that because we know that there are more and more people coming out as non-binary and trans all the time.”

He adds, “Coming out during this time when rhetoric is super negative and super violent, and there are all these occurrences of violence happening, really just shows that the trans and non-binary community needs more support.”

On the flip side, though, he says, “I didn’t anticipate that there were going to be so many Southerners that felt safe and in being out and open, not just like in the South but also the rural South.”

He adds,” I think that’s a significant finding in that it challenges so much of the narrative that’s been told about South and also about rural America, and I think that might encourage people to look a little bit more closely at the things that they’re reading, challenge it a little bit more, question it a little bit more.”

Data for Progress research shows LGBTQ+ adults in the South value LGBTQ+ spaces. Nearly two-thirds of people surveyed say they can connect and meet new people through these spaces. In addition, in Southern LGBTQ+ communities, 17 percent say access makes them feel safer, while 22 percent say belonging is most valuable.

LGBTQ+ community centers, organizations, and groups are the most valuable to 14 percent of Southerners because they provide access to essential resources. 

Transgender and gender non-conforming people may be incredibly grateful for safe LGBTQ+ spaces, as only 5 percent of nonbinary adults do not value access to LGBTQ+ spaces, the report found. 

In recent years, LGBTQ-centered public charter schools have also appeared across the country in states like Ohio, Connecticut, California, and, more recently, Alabama, offering young LGBTQ+ students the chance to build better relationships with their identities and the community of people who share those identities.

Per the Data for Progress polling, 62 percent of people ages 18 to 24 believe that interacting with other LGBTQ+ people is somewhat or very important. Southern nonbinary adults significantly benefitted from socializing with the LGBTQ+ community. Compared to 53 percent of women and 55 percent of men in the same age group, 84 percent of nonbinary people find interacting with other LGBTQ+ people somewhat or very important. For young LGBTQ+ people, schools that cater to their needs offer a valuable opportunity to build community. 

About 64 percent of LGBTQ+ Southerners believe that it is extremely or somewhat important for local communities to provide spaces for LGBTQ+ people to congregate and engage in social activities. The local queer spaces are the most important to lesbians and nonbinary Southerners, with 75 percent and 83 percent, respectively, finding these community spaces very or somewhat important. 

In light of the higher rate of mental health issues, loneliness, and social disconnection LGBTQ+ people experience due to discrimination and marginalization, developing a space for people to find friendship, community, and social support becomes increasingly important. When social infrastructure is lacking, quality of life can be devastatingly reduced.

The survey reflects that 55 percent of LGBTQ+ Southerners disagree that their lives are close to ideal, and 59 percent disagree that they would not change a thing if they had to do it all over again. Compared to lesbian, gay, and bisexual men and women, nonbinary people are least likely to say they are satisfied with their lives. In contrast to 61 percent of men and 58 percent of women, only 34 percent of nonbinary people agree that their lives are satisfied.

Despite this, survey results indicate that 43 percent of Black LGBTQ+ adults in the South agree that their communities celebrate their identities, compared to 35 percent of white LGBTQ+ adults. Black LGBTQ+ adults are more likely than white LGBTQ+ adults to agree that it is safe in their communities to be openly and visibly queer. 

Those living in rural locations report feeling closer to family than their urban counterparts and relying more on friends and family in times of need.

Although LGBTQ+ people in rural areas are less likely to be open about their sexual orientation or gender identity with their families, that does not mean they are more honest with each other. According to Data for Progress, two-thirds of urban LGBTQ+ people are open to their family members, compared with 52 percent of suburban LGBTQ+ adults and 54 percent of rural LGBTQ+ adults.

Over two-thirds of LGBTQ+ Southerners belong to a religious community, according to the study; however, 77 percent of LGBTQ+ Southern adults do not have access to churches or religious institutions that welcome them in their local communities.

Almost eight in ten non-religious LGBTQ+ adults believe their local religious community does not welcome them, while 74 percent of LGBTQ+ Southerners are religious. Moreover, in contrast to 35 percent of gay people, less than 25 percent of bisexuals, lesbians, and pansexuals report access to accepting religious establishments in their communities. 

“There are people who are interested in being in churches, are interested in, that are involved already in church in other religious institutions,” says David-Matthews. “And yet they’re not finding spaces that are welcoming or open to them.”

He adds, “I imagine that just having that change, of having spaces that are there for them, could be huge in bridging gaps between the religious institutions and communities that exist out there and queer communities, and showing that there is not so much difference, or not as much difference as we may think, between our values, between the things that we care about, and the way that we live our lives.”

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Nonprofit Group Working to Help Transgender People Escape the U.S.

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A newly formed group launched two weeks ago seeks to help transgender Americans escape the United States. Nearly three dozen applicants have already sought assistance emigrating from the country or obtaining asylum.

In the wake of anti-LGBTQ+ laws popping up in red states nationwide, many transgender people are seeking ways to leave their homes to find a better life.

This is why TRANSport hopes to step in. It helps transgender people obtain legal documents, such as valid IDs and passports, to ultimately leave the United States.

The organization plans to transport at-risk transgender people abroad into more accepting societies, VICE reports.

About 30 young people have applied for assistance, the group’s founder, Rynn Azerial Willgohs, told the outlet.

“The demographic is typically people in their twenties, which is really surprising because they were initially the ones that were like, Oh, we need to stay and fight, we need to do this, we need to do that,’” Willgohs said.

Willgohs said that although TRANSport focuses primarily on trans people from North Dakota, Oklahoma residents have also contacted the organization. Oklahoma is currently working to ban gender-affirming care beyond those under 18.

“We’re getting a lot of traffic from Oklahoma,” Willgohs said. “So what I’ve done is I’ve created this list saying, ‘Okay, if this is what you want to do, this is what you need to do before you leave.’”

Clients are screened for ancestral links to a potential country that would make moving easier.

Clients can find assistance with changing their legal name, getting a verified medical diagnosis, and shipping medications from the U.S. to other countries.

A key focus for TRANSport is fundraising so that the organization can cover most of its clients’ costs. Willgohs says the whole process from beginning to end costs $2,000 per person.

But experts warn that seeking asylum in Europe will be challenging for transgender Americans because the rules dictate that one must be persecuted in one’s home country. Americans can move from red states to blue states or from states with draconian restrictions to those that do not.

Those states, though, tend to be more expensive and require resources that many transgender people trying to flee their homes don’t have, Willgohs told VICE.

The American Civil Liberties Union is tracking more than 450 anti-LGBTQ+ bills introduced throughout the country, from bills banning gender-affirming care for children and adults to laws that give teachers the authority to misgender trans students.

Republicans have associated gender-affirming care falsely with child abuse.

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LGBTQ+ Youth Are Uncomfortable In Their Own Skin: Study

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Data from a new study suggests that young LGBTQ+ people in America aren’t comfortable in their own skin — literally.

The latest study results from the Trevor Project on LGBTQ Youth and Body Dissatisfaction are out.

Researchers found that some LGBTQ+ youth are overwhelmingly dissatisfied with their bodies, with trans and nonbinary youth showing even higher rates. Also, LGBTQ+ youth who reported body dissatisfaction were significantly more likely to have attempted suicide in the past year than those who expressed being satisfied.

The Trevor Project is a nonprofit organization that provides crisis mental health services to LGBTQ+ young people and also conducts research on the experiences and issues they face as they grow up.

There were 34,000 young LGBTQ+ people from around the country who participated in the study.

It found that 87 percent of young LGBTQ people reported dissatisfaction with their bodies. Among trans and nonbinary youth, about nine in ten respondents noted dissatisfaction compared to eight out of ten of their cisgender peers. 

The prevalence of recent depression symptoms for LGBTQ+ youth with body dissatisfaction was higher than for youth with body satisfaction. For LGBTQ+ youth who reported body dissatisfaction, 61 percent reported self-harm and 48 percent considered suicide in the last year. In comparison, 38 percent of LGBTQ+ youth who were satisfied with their bodies had self-harmed and 27 percent considered suicide, the study found. 

LGBTQ+ youth who were dissatisfied with their bodies had a twice higher chance of having attempted suicide in the past year than LGBTQ teens who were satisfied with their bodies, according to the study.

The study notes that research shows that young people who receive gender-affirming care report improved body satisfaction.

The Trevor Project’s director of research science, Myeshia Price, warns that society must stop telling young people that they can achieve some physical perfection.

“These findings underscore that an overwhelming majority of LGBTQ youth struggle with body dissatisfaction, something that can severely impact their mental health and contribute to higher odds of attempting suicide,” Price said in a statement. “As LGBTQ youth across the U.S. consume media and messages related to health and physical fitness – especially during this time of year, in relation to new year’s resolutions – we must do a better job of centering body acceptance and healthy lifestyles rather than encouraging young people to achieve a certain physical appearance.”

Price added, “We encourage all youth-serving professionals, including educators, physicians, and health care providers, to discuss how body image may be impacting the LGBTQ youth they support.”

If you are having thoughts of suicide or are concerned that someone you know may be, resources are available to help. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 is for people of all ages and identities. Trans Lifeline, designed for transgender or gender-nonconforming people, can be reached at (877) 565-8860. The lifeline also provides resources to help with other crises, such as domestic violence situations. The Trevor Project Lifeline, for LGBTQ+ youth (ages 24 and younger), can be reached at (866) 488-7386. Users can also access chat services at TheTrevorProject.org/Help or text START to 678678.

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Right-Wing Group Targets LGBTQ+ Existence In Michigan Schools

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Michigan right-wingers are working together to challenge LGBTQ+-inclusive education in public schools. 

An organization called the Great Schools Initiative (GSI) is offering parents an opt-out form to prevent all discussions about gender identity and sexual orientation in schools. 

Last week, the group began an initiative called “Operation Opt-Out,” which asks parents to submit an opt-out form authored by GSI to be added to their children’s school files, Michigan Advance reports.

Nearly three pages of proscriptions against facts about reproductive health, family planning, contraception, LGBTQ+ issues, and social justice are contained in the document — which happens to contain numerous spelling errors.

The form mandates that schools shall not include a student in “any and all instruction on gender ideology, the physiological (including endocrinological), psychological and functions of reproductive health as it relates to human sexuality. This opt out includes, but is not limited to: gender identity, gender expression, gender assignment, sexual identities, sexual expression, sexual attraction, sexual orientarion, gender fluidity, transitioning, and expicit sexual activity or behavior.”

Currently, under existing state law, all Michigan public schools offer parents the ability to have their children skip some or all sexual education classes, according to Michigan Advance. 

GSI goes further and excludes students from what they refer to as “rogue sex ed.” 

Forbidden is a wide range of activities, such as school-affiliated student clubs that support LGBTQ+ students, displaying Pride flags, and educators asking students for their pronouns, among other restrictions. 

Including LGBTQ+ students in groups and efforts provides them with social activities and support. Nevertheless, the right-wing activists behind the form claim that anything that promotes LGBTQ+ students should be considered sexual, and educators who affirm LGBTQ+ matters are falsely smeared as “groomers.”

Monica Yatooma, who unsuccessfully ran for Oakland County commissioner; Matthew Nelson, an attorney based in Grand Rapids; and Nathan Pawl, an entrepreneur based in Walled Lake, founded GSI in September. Each incorporator provided the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulation with the address of a Chicago law firm, the Thomas More Society, which promotes far-right conservative causes in the country, according to Michigan Advance.

According to Pawl, who spoke at a recent GSI meeting that was later posted on YouTube, if hundreds of parents handed in the forms, “this is going to change everything because it’ll be too much for them to handle.”

Pawl explained that his involvement in GSI was born out of outrage that his son’s school was required to wear masks during the ongoing global pandemic.

Last February, the Thomas More Society threatened to sue Walled Lake Schools and Oakland County if school officials did not reverse mask mandates.

“What every parent and member of the school community should know is that ‘don’t say gay’ policies and other so-called ‘parental rights’ efforts will harm people and put children’s health and safety at risk,” local resident and parent Brittnee Senecal told Michigan Advance. Senecal also is part of the group Michigan Parent Alliance for Safe Schools (MIPASS), which supports public schools in the state. “The efforts of these hate groups will also worsen a range of real-world challenges that affect young people and their families, including teen pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases and other healthcare-related realities.”

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Feds Seek Input on National PrEP Coverage

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The federal government is seeking public input concerning whether its Medicare department should cover HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis and PrEP medication nationwide, including a new injectable drug that has been developed.

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is considering whether it will cover HIV prevention pre-exposure prophylaxis drugs (PrEP) such as Apretude, a prescription injectable given every two months to individuals at risk of contracting HIV.

As part of the analysis, CMS seeks comments from the public, particularly those that include scientific evidence.

As of 2020, Medicare coverage for PrEP varies by state or county, but the average cost of the prevention is $2276 to $2430 per year, Endpoints News reports.

For a service to qualify for national coverage, it must be rated an A or B by the U.S. Prevention Services Task Force (USPSTF). The task force gave long-acting injectable PrEP an A rating last month. Oral PrEP received an A rating in 2019.

Under the Affordable Care Act, health insurance plans and private insurers that the ACA approves are required to cover preventive services that receive an A or B rating.

According to CMS, this analysis comes at the same time as the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force updated a recommendation for prescribing PrEP with effective antiretroviral therapy to HIV-infected individuals last month and gave the proposal an A.

ViiV Healthcare, a subsidiary of GSK, formally requested a national coverage determination last February after FDA approval in December 2021. Apretude is approved for use in adults and adolescents who weigh at least 77 pounds. Initiation injections for Apretude are given one month apart, followed by two monthly injections.

Representatives for the drug manufacturer asked government regulators to issue the passing certificate quickly.

“Given that the USPSTF’s current Grade A recommendation, by its terms, broadly applies to all PrEP therapies (even if it was based on clinical evidence supporting daily oral tenofovir disoproxil fumarate-emtricitabine), it is appropriate to apply the USPSTF’s current Grade A recommendation for PrEP to APRETUDE,” wrote Andrew Zolopa, head of ViiV North America Medical Affairs, in a letter to CMS. “Finally, provider-administered PrEP is appropriate for individuals enrolled under Medicare Part B. Data show that the Medicare program covers approximately 10% of individuals who could benefit from PrEP, including primarily younger individuals who are eligible for Medicare based on disability.”

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Gay Rep. Garcia Vows to Check Boebert & Greene on Oversight Committee

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Republicans now in control of the House of Representatives and progressive lawmakers fear the GOP will use their slim majority to engage in frivolous investigations into the Biden administration.  

With his appointment to the powerful House Oversight and Reform Committee, California’sgay Democratic Rep. Robert Garcia says he will act as a safeguard against such moves by Republicans. The committee works to oversee the “efficiency, effectiveness, and accountability of the federal government and all its agencies,” according to its website. 

The Democrat announced his appointment to the committee on Twitter yesterday while noting a certain excitement about his opportunity to be a thorn in the side of two outrageous far-right Republican members on the committee.

“I just got appointed to the House Oversight Committee. You can bet that I am going to take on and push back on Marjorie Taylor Greene and Lauren Boebert’s bullsh*t every single day. LFG,” Garcia wrote.

Garcia has not been shy in criticizing some of Congress’s most right-wing members.

The freshman lawmaker is the first out gay immigrant elected to Congress, and in the few weeks that he’s been on Capitol Hill, he’s already made his mark.

In December, he was elected by his peers to be the incoming class president for the Democratic Party — a position that is often a starting-off point for party leadership.

After new members’ swearing-in ceremonies were delayed because of historic dysfunction among Republicans who couldn’t decide on electing a new House speaker until the 15th round of votes, Garcia swore his oath on the Constitution, and photos of his parents, his U.S. citizenship certificate, and a rare first-edition Superman comic book that he loaned from the Library of Congress.

Representatives for the congressman did not immediately respond to an interview request for Garcia.

However, in November, Garcia toldThe Advocate that he was looking forward to joining Congress, particularly to challenge some of the worst anti-LGBTQ+ people elected to federal office.

“[“Marjorie Taylor Greene] is somebody that has zero interest in allowing gay people to live full lives, so I think she shouldn’t be in Congress,” Garcia said. “I think she represents exactly what’s wrong in our country.”

He also had a hunch: “I’m sure she’s not going to like me very much,” he said.

McCarthy appointed vocal conspiracy theorists and anti-LGBTQ+ lawmakers Greene and Boebert to the committee last week. 

House Oversight Chair James Comer, a Republican from Kentucky, is excited about Georgia’s Greene, Colorado’s Boebert, and Rep. Paul Gosar of Arizona joining the committee, tellingAxios, “it’s probably the most exciting committee” in history.

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre mocked the unserious nature of the far right-wing lawmakers on a crucial committee like Oversight during a January 18 press briefing.

“It appears that House Republicans have handed over the keys to the most extreme MAGA members of the Republican caucus,” Jean-Pierre said. “These are members who have promoted violent rhetoric and dangerous conspiracy theories, including suggesting violence against political opponents, trafficking in antisemitic lies, and defending and downplaying a violent insurrection against our democracy.”

According to critics, the committee will spend much time on nonsense and political games, especially with people like Boebert, Gosar, and Greene. Republican leaders have announced several investigations: the laptop of Hunter Biden, the country’s pandemic response, and right-wing media complaints about Anthony Fauci.

In an appearance on Newsmax on Friday morning, Comer committed to taking action against DirecTV for removing the channel from its services.

“Congress didn’t hold hearings a year ago for [One America News] because it was OAN and not CNN, and Democrats were in charge in Congress. You’re in charge now. Are you gonna hold hearings for Newsmax?” the network’s anchor Rob Finnerty asked the Republican.

“Yes,” Comer replied. “There’s gonna be a committee that’s gonna hold hearings. We’re sitting, we’re gonna meet later today and try to discuss which committee’s gonna do what. That’s certainly on the agenda. I’m very concerned by this.”

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Grindr Users Warned After Men Were Drugged, Robbed During Hookups

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Police officials in London have warned people who use Grindr of an alarming string of robberies associated with the hookup app.

Between December 31 and January 9, four men were drugged and robbed by two men who Metropolitan Police officials say they met on Grindr.

The victims reported agreeing to meet up with individuals from the app but that they became unconscious during the encounter and woke up realizing they had been robbed of their belongings, according to a Metropolitan Police statement.

The drugs did not cause lasting damage to the victims, but the suspects were able to flee the country, police officials said.

Now London detectives are appealing to the public and asking anyone with information or who may have been a victim themselves to reach out.

“We believe other victims may have been targeted,” detective superintendent Dan O’Sullivan said.

“However, for personal reasons, [they] may not have wanted to report it. If you have been a victim, you can report in confidence to us or speak to an officer from the LGBTQ+ community.”

Before meeting up with people they met on Grindr, users are advised to consider their safety. Police officials recommend telling a trusted person about one’s arrangements, watching one’s drinks for signs of tampering, and removing valuables from sight.

One should also verify the identity of somebody one may meet up with by insisting on getting video or photo proof that the person is who their profile photo claims they are.

Other tips include using messaging apps instead of social media accounts to communicate for added security and using reverse image search tools to check on the authenticity of any photos a potential connection sends.

“Although the suspects have fled the country and the risk to the community is reduced, we are continuing to engage with our partners and those from LGBT independent advisory groups,” O’Sullivan said.

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Florida Medical Boards Tighten Ban on Gender-Affirming Care for Minors

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Transgender youth in Florida will no longer be able to access gender-affirming treatment — even during clinical trials.

The Florida Boards of Medicine and Osteopathic Medicine adopted new rules on Friday banning hormone replacement therapy and puberty blockers for minors.

Also, at a joint meeting of the boards, the Board of Osteopathic Medicine unanimously voided an exception that made it possible for young people to receive medical treatment when enrolled in studies conducted by state universities. This exception resulted from a contentious meeting last year when the two boards voted to have separate standards for different providers when providing gender-affirming medical treatment to minors. As a result, the rules of the two boards are now aligned.

In a Tallahassee hotel where the meeting was held, attendees shouted expletives leading to tense moments that prompted law enforcement officials to position themselves at the front of the room.

“Shame on the Florida Boards of Medicine and Osteopathy for continuing this assault on the health of young people and the rights of their parents to seek the best care possible for their children,” Nikole Parker, director of transgender quality at Equality Florida, said in a statement. “This rule puts transgender youth at higher risk of depression, anxiety, and suicidality and strips parents of the right to make decisions about care for their kids.”

Supporters and advocates pleaded with doctors on the Florida Board of Medicine and the Board of Osteopathic Medicine to retain access to what many described as lifesaving care. One transgender man gave himself a hormone injection during his speaking period. Many spoke of feelings of suicidal ideation passing with access to gender-affirming care.

However, the board was unimpressed and voted in favor of the governor’s ban anyway.

“Those are the facts that have been purposely ignored by Boards of Medicine and Osteopathy stacked with DeSantis allies and campaign donors who have put their toxic politics over people’s health and wellbeing,” Parker said.

“Transgender Floridians exist. Transgender youth exist. Gender-affirming care is lifesaving care — and it is care that is supported by every major medical organization, an overwhelming majority of medical providers, and should be left to young people, their families, and their doctors; not politicians.”

A press conference was held beforehand to condemn the political moves of the Boards and the DeSantis Administration, which attracted more than 150 advocates for transgender and youth rights. 

Transgender young people and families whose lives would be affected by the proposed rule spoke at the press event alongside legal experts, medical professionals, and community leaders.

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